SB5890 • 2026

Reckless driving, speed

Addressing reckless driving in cases involving excessive speed.

Crime Labor Technology

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Senator Muzzall, Senator Lovick, Senator Gildon, Senator Shewmake
Last action: 2026-03-12
Official status: S Rules 3
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Reckless driving, speed

What This Bill Does

Reckless driving, speed

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

5890.E AMH CS H3685.1

0 • Community Safety

NOT CONSIDERED

Plain English: 5890.E AMH CS H3685.1 ESB 5890 - H COMM AMD By Committee on Community Safety NOT CONSIDERED 03/12/2026 Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the 1 following: 2 "Sec.

5890.E AMH CS H3685.1 ESB 5890 - H COMM AMD By Committee on Community Safety NOT CONSIDERED 03/12/2026 Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the 1 following: 2 "Sec.
1.
RCW 46.61.500 and 2020 c 330 s 14 are each amended to 3 read as follows: 4 (1) ((Any person who drives any vehicle in )) A person is guilty 5 of reckless driving if the person drives a vehicle:6 (a) In a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or 7 property ((is guilty of reckless driving));8 (b) Except as provided under (c) of this subsection, more than 30 9 miles per hour over the posted speed limit; or10 (c) 20 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit in a 11 roadway construction zone as defined in RCW 46.61.527, when workers 12 are present.
13 (2) Violation of the provisions of this section is a gross 14 misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to ((three hundred 15 sixty-four)) 364 days and by a fine of not more than ((five thousand 16 dollars)) $5,000.

5890-S AMS LIIA S4762.2

556 • Liias

PULLED

Plain English: 5890-S AMS LIIA S4762.2 SSB 5890 - S AMD 556 By Senator Liias PULLED 02/11/2026 Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the 1 following: 2 "Sec.

5890-S AMS LIIA S4762.2 SSB 5890 - S AMD 556 By Senator Liias PULLED 02/11/2026 Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the 1 following: 2 "Sec.
1.
RCW 46.61.5249 and 2022 c 16 s 44 are each amended to 3 read as follows: 4 (1)(a) A person is guilty of negligent driving in the first 5 degree if he or she operates a motor vehicle in a manner that is both 6 negligent and endangers or is likely to endanger any person or 7 property, and ((exhibits)):8 (i) Exhibits the effects of having consumed liquor or cannabis or 9 any drug or exhibits the effects of having inhaled or ingested any 10 chemical, whether or not a legal substance, for its intoxicating or 11 hallucinatory effects;12 (ii) Exceeds the posted speed limit by more than 30 miles per 13 hour; or14 (iii) Exceeds the posted speed limit by 20 to 30 miles per hour 15 in a work zone.
16 (b) It is an affirmative defense to negligent driving in the 17 first degree by means of exhibiting the effects of having consumed 18 any drug that must be proved by the defendant by a preponderance of 19 the evidence, that the driver has a valid prescription for the drug 20 consumed, and has been consuming it according to the prescription 21 directions and warnings.

5890-S AMS LIIA S4894.1

581 • Liias

NOT CONSIDERED

Plain English: 5890-S AMS LIIA S4894.1 SSB 5890 - S AMD 581 By Senator Liias NOT CONSIDERED 02/13/2026 Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the 1 following: 2 "Sec.

5890-S AMS LIIA S4894.1 SSB 5890 - S AMD 581 By Senator Liias NOT CONSIDERED 02/13/2026 Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the 1 following: 2 "Sec.
1.
RCW 46.61.5249 and 2022 c 16 s 44 are each amended to 3 read as follows: 4 (1)(((a))) A person is guilty of negligent driving in the first 5 degree if he or she operates a motor vehicle in a manner that is both 6 negligent and endangers or is likely to endanger any person or 7 property, and ((exhibits)):8 (a) Exhibits the effects of having consumed liquor or cannabis or 9 any drug or exhibits the effects of having inhaled or ingested any 10 chemical, whether or not a legal substance, for its intoxicating or 11 hallucinatory effects;12 (b) Exceeds the posted speed limit by more than 30 miles per 13 hour; or14 (c) Exceeds the posted speed limit by 20 to 30 miles per hour in 15 a work zone.
16 (((b))) (2) It is an affirmative defense to negligent driving in 17 the first degree by means of exhibiting the effects of having 18 consumed any drug that must be proved by the defendant by a 19 preponderance of the evidence, that the driver has a valid 20 prescription for the drug consumed, and has been consuming it 21 according to the prescription directions and warnings.22 (((c) Negligent driving in the first degree )) (3)(a) A violation 23 of subsection (1) of this section is a misdemeanor , except as 24 provided in (b) and (c) of this subsection.25 (b) If the defendant has one or more prior convictions under 26 subsection (1)(b) of this section occurring after the effective date 27 of this section, a violation of subsection (1)(b) of this section is 28 a gross misdemeanor.29 (c) If the defendant has one or more prior convictions under 30 subsection (1)(c) of this section occurring after the effective date 31 Code Rev/AI:ajr 1 S-4894.1/26 of this section, a violation of subsection (1)(c) of this section is 1 a gross misdemeanor.

5890 AMS MUZZ S4909.2

593 • Muzzall

ADOPTED

Plain English: 5890 AMS MUZZ S4909.2 SB 5890 - S AMD 593 By Senator Muzzall ADOPTED 02/13/2026 On page 1, line 7, after "in))" strike "(a)" 1 On page 1, at the beginning of line 9, strike " (i)" and insert 2 "(a)" 3 On page 1, at the beginning of line 11, strike " (ii)" and insert 4 "(b)" 5 On page 1, at the beginning of line 12, strike " (b)" and insert 6 "(2)" 7 On page 1, at the beginning of line 16, strike " (2)" and insert 8 "(((2))) (3)" 9 Renumber the remaining subsection consecutively and correct any 10 internal references accordingly.

5890 AMS MUZZ S4909.2 SB 5890 - S AMD 593 By Senator Muzzall ADOPTED 02/13/2026 On page 1, line 7, after "in))" strike "(a)" 1 On page 1, at the beginning of line 9, strike " (i)" and insert 2 "(a)" 3 On page 1, at the beginning of line 11, strike " (ii)" and insert 4 "(b)" 5 On page 1, at the beginning of line 12, strike " (b)" and insert 6 "(2)" 7 On page 1, at the beginning of line 16, strike " (2)" and insert 8 "(((2))) (3)" 9 Renumber the remaining subsection consecutively and correct any 10 internal references accordingly.
11 On page 2, line 33, after "in))" strike "(a)" 12 On page 2, at the beginning of line 35, strike " (i)" and insert 13 "(a)" 14 On page 2, at the beginning of line 37, strike " (ii)" and insert 15 "(b)" 16 On page 2, at the beginning of line 38, strike " (b)" and insert 17 "(2)" 18 On page 3, at the beginning of line 3, strike " (2)" and insert 19 "(((2))) (3)" 20 Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any 21 internal references accordingly.
22 Code Rev/AI:akl 1 S-4909.2/26 2nd draft EFFECT: Makes technical corrections for the purpose of accommodating court case management system constraints.
END --- Code Rev/AI:akl 2 S-4909.2/26 2nd draft

Bill History

2026-03-12 Senate
By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.

Official Summary Text

Reckless driving, speed

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

AN ACT Relating to reckless driving in cases involving excessive 1
speed; amending RCW 46.61.500 and 46.61.500; prescribing penalties; 2
providing effective dates; and providing an expiration date.3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
Sec. 1. RCW 46.61.500 and 2020 c 330 s 14 are each amended to 5
read as follows: 6
(1) ((Any person who drives any vehicle in )) (a) A person is 7
guilty of reckless driving if the person drives a vehicle:8
(i) In a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or 9
property ((is guilty of reckless driving)); or10
(ii) More than 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.11
(b) Violation of the provisions of this section is a gross 12
misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to ((three hundred 13
sixty-four)) 364 days and by a fine of not more than ((five thousand 14
dollars)) $5,000. 15
(2)(a) Subject to (b) of this subsection, the license or permit 16
to drive or any nonresident privilege of any person convicted of 17
reckless driving shall be suspended by the department for not less 18
than ((thirty)) 30 days. 19
(b) When a reckless driving conviction is a result of a charge 20
that was originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 21
S-3560.1
SENATE BILL 5890
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Senators Muzzall, Lovick, Gildon, and Shewmake
Prefiled 12/15/25. Read first time 01/12/26. Referred to Committee
on Law & Justice.
p. 1 SB 5890
46.61.504, or an equivalent local ordinance, the department shall 1
grant credit on a day-for-day basis for any portion of a suspension, 2
revocation, or denial already served under an administrative action 3
arising out of the same incident. In the case of a person whose day-4
for-day credit is for a period equal to or greater than the period of 5
suspension required under this section, the department shall provide 6
notice of full credit, shall provide for no further suspension under 7
this section, and shall impose no additional reissue fees for this 8
credit. During any period of suspension, revocation, or denial due to 9
a conviction for reckless driving as the result of a charge 10
originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, any 11
person who has obtained an ignition interlock driver's license under 12
RCW 46.20.385 may continue to drive a motor vehicle pursuant to the 13
provision of the ignition interlock driver's license without 14
obtaining a separate temporary restricted driver's license under RCW 15
46.20.391. 16
(3)(a) Except as provided under (b) of this subsection, a person 17
convicted of reckless driving who has one or more prior offenses as 18
defined in RCW 46.61.5055(14) within seven years shall be required, 19
under RCW 46.20.720, to install an ignition interlock device on all 20
vehicles operated by the person if the conviction is the result of a 21
charge that was originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.502, 22
46.61.504, or an equivalent local ordinance. 23
(b) A person convicted of reckless driving shall be required, 24
under RCW 46.20.720, to install an ignition interlock device on all 25
vehicles operated by the person if the conviction is the result of a 26
charge that was originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.520 27
committed while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any 28
drug or RCW 46.61.522 committed while under the influence of 29
intoxicating liquor or any drug. 30
Sec. 2. RCW 46.61.500 and 2025 c 228 s 14 are each amended to 31
read as follows: 32
(1) ((Any person who drives any vehicle in )) (a) A person is 33
guilty of reckless driving if the person drives a vehicle:34
(i) In a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or 35
property ((is guilty of reckless driving)); or36
(ii) More than 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.37
(b) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, 38
violation of the provisions of this section is a gross misdemeanor 39
p. 2 SB 5890
punishable by imprisonment for up to 364 days and by a fine of not 1
more than $5,000. 2
(2)(a) Subject to (b) of this subsection, the license or permit 3
to drive or any nonresident privilege of any person convicted of 4
reckless driving shall be suspended by the department for not less 5
than 30 days. 6
(b) When a reckless driving conviction is a result of a charge 7
that was originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 8
46.61.504, or an equivalent local ordinance, the department shall 9
grant credit on a day-for-day basis for any portion of a suspension, 10
revocation, or denial already served under an administrative action 11
arising out of the same incident. In the case of a person whose day-12
for-day credit is for a period equal to or greater than the period of 13
suspension required under this section, the department shall provide 14
notice of full credit, shall provide for no further suspension under 15
this section, and shall impose no additional reissue fees for this 16
credit. During any period of suspension, revocation, or denial due to 17
a conviction for reckless driving as the result of a charge 18
originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, any 19
person who has obtained an ignition interlock driver's license under 20
RCW 46.20.385 may continue to drive a motor vehicle pursuant to the 21
provision of the ignition interlock driver's license without 22
obtaining a separate temporary restricted driver's license under RCW 23
46.20.391. 24
(3)(a) Except as provided under (b) of this subsection, a person 25
convicted of reckless driving who has one or more prior offenses as 26
defined in RCW 46.61.5055(14) within seven years shall be required, 27
under RCW 46.20.720, to install an ignition interlock device on all 28
vehicles operated by the person if the conviction is the result of a 29
charge that was originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.502, 30
46.61.504, or an equivalent local ordinance. 31
(b) A person convicted of reckless driving shall be required, 32
under RCW 46.20.720, to install an ignition interlock device on all 33
vehicles operated by the person if the conviction is the result of a 34
charge that was originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.520 35
committed while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any 36
drug or RCW 46.61.522 committed while under the influence of 37
intoxicating liquor or any drug. 38
(4)(a) Following the period of suspension under subsection (2) of 39
this section, the department must establish a period of probation for 40
p. 3 SB 5890
150 days. During the period of probation, the person may not operate 1
a vehicle upon which a properly functioning intelligent speed 2
assistance device has not been installed. 3
(b) The operation of a vehicle without such a properly 4
functioning intelligent speed assistance device following the 5
suspension as provided in (a) of this subsection is a traffic 6
infraction. 7
(c) Any traffic infraction for a moving violation committed 8
during the period of probation shall result in an additional 30-day 9
suspension or revocation to run consecutively with any suspension 10
already being served. 11
(d) A person who is required to operate a motor vehicle with an 12
intelligent speed assistance device under this subsection (4) remains 13
exclusively responsible for operation of the motor vehicle in a safe 14
and lawful manner at all times. The obligation to use an intelligent 15
speed assistance device is not a defense or mitigating circumstance 16
to a violation of rules of the road, as set forth in law.17
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Section 1 of this act takes effect 18
September 1, 2026.19
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Section 1 of this act expires January 1, 20
2029.21
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Section 2 of this act takes effect January 22
1, 2029.23
--- END ---
p. 4 SB 5890